Camden?s Heart Story:

Camden was born in June of 2012. At that time, his parents thought he was a typical healthy baby. They took him home three days later and were enjoying having their sweet new baby at home. On day five, his parents noticed him making grunting noises with every breath and his heartbeat was growing more and more rapid. Thinking they were just being concerned new parents, his mom made the call to take hi in and get him checked out. What they didn?t know is that decision was going to end up saving his life.

The pediatric team noticed immediately that something wasn?t right. He was admitted to Children?s Hospital in Neenah, WI under the impression he had a suspected infection or sepsis. Upon arriving, Camden was admitted to the NICU. His parents remember it being a huge whirlwind. They were running tests, taking blood tests, checking his blood pressure, putting in IV?s wherever they could. He had lost all blood flow to his lower extremities and his little body was shutting down but we didn?t know that yet.

The neonatologist determined that an echo of his heart was needed to ensure everything was working properly. However, she soon found out that it wasn?t. The echo showed an abnormality in his aorta and his heart was barely functioning. They needed to give him medication stat to open up his aorta and help his heart work better while they could transfer him via helicopter to a larger Children?s hospital in Milwaukee, WI.

Leaving his mom and dad behind, Camden was successfully airlifted to Milwaukee and just in time. His parents were able to meet him there a few hours later. On day 5, the pediatric team at Children?s Wisconsin confirmed the diagnosis of Coarctation of aorta or CoA. In less scientific terms, this meant that the narrowing of his aorta was causing little blood flow to his body, especially his lower extremities and his aorta had basically shut down.

Along with the CoA, he was also diagnosed with BAV (bicuspid aortic valve), ASD (atrial septal defect), MVS (mitral valve stenosis) and Shones complex. On day 6 (and also Father?s Day), Camden?s heart team determined he was going to have his first surgery. Camden?s mom recalls breaking down and thinking ?my 6 day old baby who I should be home snuggling with was going to be going into heart surgery. I was devastated to say the least.? His surgery lasted about three hours and we were updated every half hour so the waiting wasn?t so agonizing. His parents were so relieved when the surgery was finally over and the doctors were very pleased with how it went. Operating on a heart that?s the size of a walnut takes a special skill and they will forever be thankful to Dr Michael Mitchell.

The day after his surgery, he had his chest tube, head IV and catheter removed. The day after that, the ventilator was removed and the arterial line in his belly button was removed. Little by little, things were allowing his parents and family to see his precious face again. By day 9 he was only on oxygen and that meant he could start his feeds by mouth! He had a hard time with the feeds and couldn?t move to the step-down unit until 8 days after surgery (2 weeks of life). From there, he was finally tube free and had the oxygen removed on day 17.

He was a champion once he got to the step-down unit and was finally able to go home on day 18! His parents were SO proud of their little fighter and miracle and we truly thank God every day for him. He is now 13 and such an active boy, you?d never know anything was wrong. He will have to see a cardiologist yearly (even as an adult) to make sure his valves and defects are how they should be. His parents and sister are SO lucky to have him in their lives and you to know that they love you, Camden!

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